Posts tagged smart television

A smart TV, sometimes referred to as connected TV or hybrid TV, (not to be confused with IPTV, Internet TV, or with Web TV), describes a trend of iman of the Internet and Web 2.0 features into television sets and set-top boxes, as well as the technological convergence between computers and these television sets / set-top boxes. The devices have a higher focus on online interactive media, Internet TV, over-the-top content, as well as on-demand streaming media, and home networking access, with much less focus on the traditional broadcasting media that traditional television sets and set-top boxes offers.[1][2][3][4] Similar to how the Internet, Web widgets, and software applications are integrated in modern smartphones, the name “smart TV” is akin to “smart phone”.[5][6][7][8][9]

The technology that enables smart TVs is also incorporated in devices such as set-top boxes, digital media players, Blu-ray players, game consoles, hotel television systems, and other network connected interactive devices that utilize television type display outputs.[10][11][12] These devices allow viewers to search and find videos, movies, photos and other content on the Web, on a local cable TV channel, on a satellite TV channel, or on a local storage drive.[12]

Background[edit]

A first patent was filed in 1994[13] and extended the next year.[14] «An “intelligent” television system linked with data processing systems by means of a digital or analog network». Apart from being linked to Data Networks, one key point is its ability to automatically download necessary software routines according to users demand and process their needs.

Definition[edit]

A smart TV device is either a television set with integrated Internet capabilities or a set-top box for television that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic television set. Smart TVs may be thought of as an information appliance or the computer system from a handheld computer integrated within a television set unit, as such smart TV often allows the user to install and run more advanced applications or plugins/addons based on a specific platform. Smart TVs run complete operating system or mobile operating system software providing a platform for application developers.[1][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Smart TV platforms or middleware have a public Software development kit (SDK) and/or Native development kit (NDK) for apps so that third-party developers can develop applications for it, and an app store so that the end-users can install and uninstall apps themselves. The public SDK enables third-party companies and other interactive application developers to “write” applications once and see them run successfully on any device that supports the smart TV platform or middleware architecture which it was written for, no matter who the hardware manufacturer is.

“Smart TV”s:

1.Deliver content from other computers or network attached storage devices on a network like photos, movies and music using either a Digital Living Network Alliance / Universal Plug and Play media server or similar service program like Windows Media Player or Network-attached storage (NAS), or via iTunes.

Smart TV also provide access to user-generated content (either stored on an external hard drive or in cloud storage) and to interactive services and Internet applications, such as YouTube, many using HTTP Live Streaming (also known as HLS) adaptive streaming.[24]

Smart TV devices facilitate the curation of traditional content by combining information from the Internet with content from TV Providers. Services offer users a means to track and receive reminders about favorite shows[25] or sporting events,[26] as well as the ability to change channels for immediate viewing.

Some devices feature additional interactive organic user interface / natural user interface technologies for navigation controls and other human interaction with a Smart TV, with such as second screen companion devices,[27][28] spatial gestures input like with Xbox Kinect,[29][30][31] and even for speech recognition for natural language user interface.[32]

Technology[edit]

The concept of smart TVs is still emerging, with both proprietary and open source software frameworks being commercially promoted. Some have the ability to run applications (sometimes available via an ‘app store’ digital distribution platform), interactive on-demand media, personalized communications, and social networking features[33][34][35][36][37]

See also: List of notable Smart TV platforms and middleware software

Social networking[edit]

A number of smart TV platforms come prepackaged, or can be optionally extended, with social networking technology capabilities. The addition of social networking synchronization to smart TV and HTPC platforms may provide an interaction with both on-screen content and other viewers than is currently available to most televisions, while simultaneously providing a much more cinematic experience of the content than is currently available with most computers.[38]

Advertising[edit]

Some Smart TV platforms also supports interactive advertising, addressable advertising with local ad insertion and ad targeting, and other advanced advertising features such as ad telescoping using VOD and PVR, enhanced TV for consumer call-to-action and audience measurement solutions for ad campaign effectiveness.[39][40]

Reaction from broadcast networks[edit]

NBC, ABC, CBS, and Hulu have blocked Google TV-enabled devices from accessing their Web content since Google TV’s launch.[41] As of 22 November 2010, Google TV devices are blocked from accessing any programs offered by Viacom’s subsidiaries.[42]

Market structure

According to a report from the researcher NPD In-Stat, only about 12 million U.S. households have their Web-capable TVs connected to the Internet, although In-Stat estimates about 25 million U.S. TV households own a set with the built-in network capability. Also, In-Stat predicts that 100 million homes in North America and western Europe will own television sets that blend traditional programs with Internet content by 2016.[43]